Environmental violators apprehended in Riyadh and Mecca; penalties imposed for transporting firewood

As part of ongoing field efforts to protect the environment and preserve natural resources in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Special Forces for Environmental Security the implementation of new operations targeting violators of the environmental system in the Riyadh and Makkah regions, within the framework of the Kingdom’s strict strategy to reduce unfair practices that threaten vegetation and wildlife.

Seizing illegal logging in the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Reserve

Field patrols of the Special Forces for Environmental Security in the Riyadh region apprehended a citizen for violating environmental regulations by transporting three cubic meters of local firewood within the boundaries of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve . The necessary legal measures were taken against the violator, and the seized quantities were handed over to the relevant authorities.

In this context, the authorities reiterated their warnings regarding the handling of locally sourced firewood and charcoal, emphasizing that the financial penalties are extremely severe, with fines for transporting such materials reaching 16,000 riyals per cubic meter . This stricter enforcement aims to deter violators and protect local trees from illegal logging, which contributes to desertification.

Exploiting sediments and dredging soil in Mecca

In a related operation, security forces in the Makkah region apprehended seven residents of Pakistani and Yemeni nationalities for violating environmental regulations by illegally extracting sediment and dredging soil without a permit. The forces seized three pieces of heavy equipment used in the dredging and soil removal operations, and legal procedures were initiated against them.

The importance of environmental protection and the goals of Vision 2030

These intensified security operations are in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative, which place great emphasis on environmental protection and sustainability. The Special Forces for Environmental Security act as a protective shield for natural resources, and these efforts aim to:

• Combating desertification and increasing green spaces.
• Preserving biodiversity in royal reserves and natural areas.
• Preventing practices that lead to soil degradation and changes in the natural features of the land.

Community awareness is a key partner in the success of these efforts, as reporting violations directly contributes to protecting the Kingdom’s environment for future generations.

Methods of reporting environmental violations

The Special Forces for Environmental Security called on all citizens and residents to cooperate and immediately report any incidents of environmental or wildlife abuse. They clarified that reporting channels are available 24/7 via the following numbers:

• The number (911) is available in the regions of Makkah, Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and Madinah.
• The numbers (999) and (996) are used in the rest of the Kingdom's regions.

The security authorities confirmed that all reports are handled with complete confidentiality, without any legal responsibility being imposed on the reporter, in order to encourage community participation in protecting the homeland and its resources.